Name: REGINA Retreat at Fontgombault Abbey: Rediscover Your Faith!
Start: 2026-05-26
End: 2026-06-01
Location: Fontgombault, France

Regina Trips

Email address verified

10 reviews

May 26 - Jun 1, 2026

Group size: 15 - 30

REGINA Retreat at Fontgombault Abbey: Rediscover Your Faith!

Fontgombault, France

Book Now

Download Brochure

Regina Trips

Email address verified

10 reviews

$NaN

May 26 - Jun 1, 2026

Group size: 15 - 30

Transfer to the Abbey
Private coach bus transfer from Chartres Cathedral to Fontgombault Abbey. Please note: the pick-up location is in Chartres on May 26 (you will need to spend the previous night there on May 25).
Accommodations
Accommodations for seven days, and six nights. Please note: you are required to bring your own sleeping bag and bed sheets (a custom for guests at monasteries in France).
Food
Your meals are included for the days of the retreat when you are at the monastery: May 26-June 1 (minus lunch in Poitiers on May 30). Please note: participants are responsible for all other meals.
The Retreat
All of the costs of the retreat are covered.
Transfer to the Airport
Private coach bus transfer to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) International Airport in Paris for return flights home.

TUES, May 26 - Day 1
TUES, May 26 - Day 1
Arrival Day
All those registered for our retreat will meet in Chartres on the morning of May 26th outside Chartres Cathedral. We will begin with Mass in the Crypt of Chartres Cathedral (to be confirmed).
We board our bus in Chartres and head for Fontgombault Abbey, otherwise known as the Abbey of Our Lady of Fontgombault (Abbaye de Notre-Dame de Fontgombault).
This is an all-male Benedictine monastery of the Solesmes Congregation. It was built in the classic Romanesque style. The monastery, originally founded in 1091, was dissolved at the time of the French Revolution in 1791 and re-founded most recently in 1948.
Today, there are some 60 monks in residence at this contemplative monastery, and to pray with them and hear them sing is one of the most beautiful things this side of Heaven.
On our way, we will stop for lunch in the enchanting medieval town of Tours. Our group will have the opportunity to spend some time in the medieval quarter, for lunch and shopping. We will walk through the quaint streets of Tours to the Basilica of St. Martin, where the saint is entombed in a a crypt below the main altar.
Afterwards, we will visit the nearby site of the Holy Face Shrine dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus.
This site is particularly known for its connection to the Venerable Leo Dupont, who established a continuous vigil lamp before an image of the Holy Face in his home.
Today this simple chapel still draws pilgrims, the site of the final resting place of Leo Dupont. From here devotion to the Holy Face spread, inspiring St. Thérèse of Lisieux as well as her saintly parents, who were members of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face.
Arrival at Fontgombault will be just before dinner. On the way, we will also stop at a grocery store.
Men will stay inside the monastery in the guest wing and will eat with the monks and follow their rule for the days that we are there.
Women will stay in nearby cottages on the property and will make their own meals together. Women will also be able to attend Mass and the Office of Hours in the main Church with the monks and the male retreatants.
Read more
WED, May 27 - Day 2
WED, May 27 - Day 2
First Day of Retreat
The Abbey chapel opens for us at approximately 7:00 am.
For male visitors staying in the Abbey guest house, the chapel opens at 5:15 am for Matins and Lauds.
We gather for morning Mass at 7:00 am at a side altar in the nave of the chapel. At 8:00 am we gather for breakfast.
At 8:30 am there is the optional chanting of the Office of Prime with the monks.
At 10:00 am Terce is chanted with the Conventual Sung Mass (optional).
Our morning retreat session will begin at 11:00 am and conclude with the Angelus at 12:00 pm.
The meeting point will be at the gate to the garden at the porter's lodge - we will either gather in the shade of the garden on outdoor chairs or inside the meeting lodge that abuts the garden.
At 12:50 pm the Office of Sext is chanted and the church closes until 1:50 pm.
Lunch is at 1:15 pm.
At 2:35 pm the Office of None is chanted after which we will be assigned a time and task for manual labor (the time and task may change each day).
Our afternoon retreat session will begin at 4:30 pm and conclude at 5:30 pm.
At 6:00 pm the Office of Vespers is chanted.
The church closes at 7:25 pm.
Dinner will be served for the ladies at 7:30 pm.
Overnight at Fontgombault. B, L, D
Read more
THURS, May 28 - Day 3
THURS, May 28 - Day 3
Second Day of Retreat
The Thursday schedule is slightly different at the Abbey (the Office of Vespers is at 3:45 pm).
We gather for morning Mass at 7:00 am at a side altar in the nave of the chapel.
At 8:00 am we gather for breakfast.
At 8:30 am there is the optional chanting of the Office of Prime with the monks.
At 10:00 am Terce is chanted with the Conventual Sung Mass (optional).
Our retreat morning session is at 11:00 am and concludes with the Angelus at 12:00 pm.
At 12:50 pm the Office of Sext is chanted and the church closes until 1:50 pm.
Lunch is at 1:15 pm.
At 2:35 pm the Office of None is chanted after which we will be assigned a time and task for manual labor.
At 3:45 pm the Office of Vespers is chanted.
Our afternoon retreat session will begin at 4:30 pm and conclude at 5:30 pm.
The church closes at 7:25 pm.
Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm.
Overnight at Fontgombault. B, L, D
Read more
FRI, May 29 - Day 4
FRI, May 29 - Day 4
Third Day of Retreat
We gather for morning Mass at 7:00 am at a side altar in the nave of the chapel.
Meals today will be meatless.
At 8:00 am we gather for breakfast.
At 8:30 am there is the optional chanting of the Office of Prime with the monks.
At 10:00 am Terce is chanted with the Conventual Sung Mass (optional).
Our retreat morning session is at 11:00 am and concludes with the
Angelus at 12:00 pm.
At 12:50 pm the Office of Sext is chanted and the church closes until 1:50
pm.
Lunch is at 1:15 pm.
At 2:35 pm the Office of None is chanted after which we will be
assigned a time and task for manual labor.
Our afternoon retreat session will begin at 4:30 pm and conclude at 5:30 pm.
At 6:00 pm the Office of Vespers is chanted.
The church closes at 7:25 pm.
Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm.
Overnight at Fontgombault. B, L, D
Read more
SAT, May 30 - Day 5
SAT, May 30 - Day 5
Excursion Day in Poitiers
Following 7:00 AM Mass and breakfast, we will board our bus for a day trip to Poitiers, the nearest city, about an hours drive away.
Poitiers is a major university town (its university dates to 1431), with a stunning cathedral, a masterpiece begun in 1162.
The city's pedigree is forever associated with a major battle that took place in the area.
The year was 732, the battle is forever remembered as the Battle of Tours, when Charles Martel crushed the belligerent Islamic forces that were racing to destroy Paris.
We will enjoy a free day here to explore, shop, and enjoy dining options -- lunch on our own.
In the afternoon we will regroup for our return to the Abby in time for Vespers and dinner.
At 6:00 pm the Office of Vespers is chanted.
The church closes at 7:25 pm.
Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm.
Overnight at Fontgombault. B, D
Read more
SUN, May 31 - Day 6
SUN, May 31 - Day 6
Fourth Day of Retreat
The Sunday schedule is slightly different at the Abbey (the Office of None is at 3:00 pm and the Office of Vespers is at 5:00 pm).
We gather for morning Mass at 7:00 am at a side altar in the
nave of the chapel.
At 8:00 am we gather for breakfast.
At 8:30 am there is the optional chanting of the Office of Prime with the monks.
At 10:00 am Terce is chanted with the Conventual Sung Mass (optional).
Our retreat morning session is at 11:00 am and concludes with the Angelus at 12:00 pm.
At 12:50 pm the Office of Sext is chanted and the church closes until 1:50 pm.
Lunch is at 1:15 pm.
At 3:00 pm the Office of None is chanted. No manual labor on the Lord's Day.
Our afternoon retreat session will begin at 4:00 pm and conclude at 4:45 pm.
At 5:00 pm the Office of Vespers is chanted.
The church closes at 7:25 pm.
Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm.
Overnight at Fontgombault. B, L, D
Read more
June 1 - Day 7
June 1 - Day 7
Departure Day
Following 7:00 AM Mass and breakfast, we will board our motor coach and depart for Paris. On the way, we will stop in Orleans for lunch and to see the incredible cathedral.
Later in the afternoon, we will continue our picturesque drive to Paris with our final destination at a reasonably priced hotel near Charles de Gaulle International Airport, so that people can can with ease the following morning take the free shuttle to the airport for their return flights home.
Read more

TUES, May 26 - Day 1

Arrival Day

Regina Trips

10 reviews

REGINA’S mission is to support research and education as to the history of cultures in different regions of the world, influenced by the Catholic Faith, including cultural development in the context of religious faith and societal standards. We are a nonprofit that produces a rare and exquisite magazine, along with providing other programs that include extraordinary trips, retreats, and conferences. REGINA offers incredible and authentic experiences in timeless places and climates of the past, that bring faith and history to life.

This was an extraordinary adventure ! From the moment I decided to sign-up I quickly learned that I was dealing with a professional tour company that made it as easy as possible for us, with patience and genuine care and concern. The retreat was a perfect blend of many holy moments and off-campus adventures, with plenty of solo time in between for reflection, rest, and whatever else each person needed. The individual spiritual direction and group sessions led by Fr Oballo were truly lifechanging. The retreat venue was breathtaking. At every turn there was beauty to take in. The meals prepared by the sisters were delicious. Our tour leaders, Natalie and John, are incredible human beings. They went over and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful experience. Thank you Regina for a trip I’ll never forget. I highly recommend anything Regina offers !

By Denise-Marie N for REGINA Retreat: Convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Institute on Jun 29, 2025

A luminous retreat. Logistics: Transport appeared when it should have and was well organised. The retreat house was simple but the rooms all had en-suite showers and were scrupulously clean. There were so many thoughtful touches such as box sprigs behind crucifixes and large bibles in every room. The food is home-style country French; plenty of it and all good quality! I was impressed by the organisers' levels of care and their desire to solve every problem. The retreat: We were blessed to be guided by Father Oballo who put together a profoundly impressive series of seminars which both challenged and provided direction. This was supported by being able to attend daily mass with the delightful Sisters Adorers, hearing them praying the hours and sharing their daily Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. There was plenty of space for wandering around and thinking or just sitting. Father Oballo made the key point that a retreat is a first step; the Convent at Loisy is a very special place, the memory of which will act as an anchor. Balance: Regina managed to cram tours of Versailles, a fantastic mass at Saint-Eugène-Sainte-Cécile and a visit Louvre into a busy week which made a real difference to travellers who might not have another chance to see Paris again. I am not alone in finding the week extraordinary and would highly recommend a Regina Retreat. All credit to Nathalie, John (and their delightful daughter) for their good humour and thoughtfulness. Thank you.

By Jessica O for REGINA Retreat: Convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Institute on Jun 26, 2025

The retreat was absolutely beautiful!! I cannot express how amazing it was. The convent was breathtaking, and the nuns are so beautiful. Father's retreat talks brought me to tears. The nuns have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrement all day with a mission the pray for priests. It was so wonderful-spiritually life changing. And the food was amazing!;)

By Margaret A for REGINA Retreat: Convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Institute on Jun 19, 2025

Very well organized; thorough communication. It was truly a great experience!

By MAURA W for Chartres Pilgrimage 2025 - Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapter on Jun 18, 2025

The chapter organizer charged $120 fee for walk only, however, they did not help pilgrims to register with Notre Dame de Chretiente (NDC). We have to register with NDC on our own and pay extra 42 Euro. We paid a total of over 162 Euro for walk only for each person. Also, we sign up for the adult chapter, they organizer put us in the Family chapter. There were not enough sleeping space for the adult chapter in the camp. The chapter organizer did not take care of the adult chapter at all.

By Carrie L for Chartres Pilgrimage 2025 - Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapter on Jun 16, 2025

Show More Reviews

More Photos

More Photos

REGINA Retreat at Fontgombault Abbey: Rediscover Your Faith!

REGINA Retreat at Fontgombault Abbey: Rediscover Your Faith!

About this trip

What’s included

What’s not included

Available Packages

Itinerary

Your Organizer

Reviews

Photo Gallery